Frank Warren compares Mike Tyson to Jake Paul to “watching a car crash”

Leading boxing promoter Frank Warren will be one of the many millions who tuned in to Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on Netflix on November 15 not knowing exactly what to expect – other than utter chaos.

“Of course I’ll watch (Tyson vs. Paul),” Warren told Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “It’s like watching a car crash; That’s what we do, people do it.”

Queensberry Promotions founder Warren's “car crash” analogy is perhaps the best way to describe the controversial fight. Even critics who know that perhaps what they are seeing shouldn't be happening, that there is a chance that 58-year-old Tyson could be seriously injured by 27-year-old Paul, probably won't be able to stomach this Take your eyes off the spectacle as soon as the first bell rings at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“I truly have the utmost respect for Jake and his team,” Warren said. “They are really good people. I worked with them and it was a pleasure working with them. A 58 year old is fighting; I'm not a big fan of it. Of course I am.” I'm not a big fan of it and boys that age shouldn't be fighting.

“But they have their own opinions. The governing body – whoever it is is based in Texas – they approved it. As long as it’s medically regulated, as long as everyone knows – and they certainly know – what the risks are.” That’s their decision. I wouldn't necessarily advocate this, but we live in a democracy, and if people want to climb a mountain, if they want to dive into the deepest depths of the sea, then they want to go into space in a rocket, that's their choice. Sometimes people need to protect themselves from themselves.

There are several adjustments to Tyson vs. Paul to make it safer than a normal high-level professional boxing match. The rounds last two minutes instead of the three-minute rounds typically used for men's fights, and the boxing gloves weigh 14 ounces instead of the 10-ounce gloves typically worn by boxers weighing more than 147 pounds.

Fight fans fell in love with the powerful Tyson of the 1980s, and Warren believes a similarly aggressive performance will be seen next Friday – around the first round. But the British promoter is not confident about what the former heavyweight champ can show after the opening verse.

“One thing about the fight: I think you’re probably going to see a vintage Mike Tyson one round, come out and do what he does,” Warren said. “After that we’ll see where he goes. I remember the fight years ago against him and Danny Williams (in 2004). And I said to Danny Williams at the time, 'Let me tell you, you're in for two rounds.' “I think it’s World War III. After that we’ll see what happens and you’ll have the opportunity to defeat him after that happens,” and that’s what we did.

“What's Mike going to do now?” Who knows? But one thing is certain: there will be a record because people will buy it. Rightly or wrongly, it's like a car accident, as I said at the beginning.” On the highway, people slow down to see what happens.

Plans for 2025

Warren's Queensberry Promotions announced a groundbreaking multi-year media rights deal with sports broadcaster DAZN on Sunday. From April 1, 2025, Warren's boxing events will be broadcast worldwide exclusively on DAZN.

This came as a bit of a surprise to some in the boxing world as Warren was very critical of DAZN when rival Matchroom Boxing moved to the streaming platform for its UK cards in 2021.

“For me, the most important thing was the management they brought on board and what happened,” Warren said when asked why his opinion of DAZN changed. “And I'm very happy, this is great progress. My son George, the CEO of Queensberry, was instrumental in getting this all off the ground. At the end of the day, he and the rest as a team.” Directors, we think it's the right place for Queensberry now. There will be some additional dates for us and it will be special.

“And the fact that there are other promoters out there, as you mentioned with Eddie (Hearn), obviously with Oscar (De La Hoya), there are some big fights out there between all of our different companies and I have that Feeling like this is going to be great for boxing and more importantly great for the spectators and fans.”

The Hall of Fame promoter confirmed that Queensberry's contract with DAZN was “multi-year,” but declined to provide the exact number of years when asked. Warren also declined to reveal the number of contracted shows per year, but said Queensberry will host more events than it currently does. Excluding the Riyadh Season events in Saudi Arabia, Queensberry will promote 14 UK shows on TNT Sports in 2024.

As for Queensberry's early 2025 schedule, Warren also confirmed that New Zealand's top heavyweight contender Joseph Parker is in contention for Daniel Dubois' IBF championship on February 22, after it was revealed that Anthony Joshua was unlikely to fight that day will face Dubois again.

“That’s one of the fights we’re thinking about,” Warren said. “There are a few options, and this is a great fight by the way, but there are a lot of great fights for Daniel. The heavyweight division is very, very sexy right now. There are some great fights to be had there (for…). Dubois).

“A lot of them are very competitive against guys who are all winning fighters, they’re not losers. Whatever we decide, I promise you it will be a great fight. But we're looking at a few.” Fights are coming and I'm not avoiding it, but before we can announce it, as I said before, we have to agree within the framework of the Riyadh (Turki Alalshikh) season, And once we do that, we'll announce a fight that I think everyone will love.